[Island Off Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii]
It had rained earlier the day I took the above photograph. It is the one photo I have taken that comes close to depicting a "storm", which is the subject of this post. We are referring to the storms of life that come upon us from time to time. All of us are now suffering the effects of Covid-19 in one way or another; and the same goes for the current world events otherwise; the chaotic and lawless effects of a world gone mad!
The following excellent 29 minute sermon by Dr. David Jeremiah deals with the subject "A Shelter in the Storms of Life". Dr. Jeremiah tells us what we can do when storms invade our lives.
"Peace is not the absence of stress, peace is the presence of the Savior." - Dr. David Jeremiah
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7
Many of us tend to not read Nahum often. But the above verse is so beautiful and comforting. God will deliver those who are His in their day of trouble and danger; and by "a stronghold" it refers to how God is a defense and is our strength and "fortress" by His love and protection of us, His children.
Nahum 1:7 is mentioned in the following 13 minute video below titled : "The Guardian of the World - God is Watching and He is in Control." Towards the end of the following video, Pastor Chuck Smith (the founder of the Calvary Chapel Churches) is also one of the narrators of this encouraging message.
The message above reminds us that we are never alone! And, also, to not focus on the problem, but instead to focus on God and Jesus, and He will help you and fight your battles !
"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." - Exodus 14:14
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 54:17
[Boats and Rainbow Bridge, Haleiwa, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii]
One Scripture quoted before on this blog, which rather ties in with the subject matter today, is Psalm 27:14, which follows:
"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord."
Psalm 28:7 tells us: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."
"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." - Psalm 34:4
On the above verse at Psalm 34:4, Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary explains, in part : "David found Him [Yahweh] a prayer-hearing God. "I sought the Lord' in my distress, entreated His favor, and begged His help 'and He heard me' , answered my request immediately and 'delivered me from all my fears.'....God by His providence....and grace...works in us to silence our fears and still the tumult of the spirit. This latter is the greater mercy of the two. ...... When we look to the world we are darkened, we are perplexed, and at a loss; but when we look to God, from Him we have the light of both of direction and joy, and our way is made both plain and pleasant."
[Rainbow Shower Tree Blossoms]
Remember always, if you are a true follower of Jesus, and have been born again (a spiritual rebirth from above) then Jesus makes you a conqueror and makes you victorious!
Romans 8:37 tells us: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:57
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4
Most of you are familiar with the fact that "storms of life" will make you turn more to prayer and reliance on the good Lord. It will increase your faith, and make you stronger when you see God working in your behalf and helping you in whatever circumstances are troubling you. And, as you know, sometimes God Himself will send storms to test your faith, and to help mold you into a faith filled servant of His, by teaching you to rely on Him, and Him only.
Hebrews 12:6 explains, "Whom the Lord loves He chastens."
"Afflictions are but the shadows of God's Wings." - George Macdonald
If you have not yet put your faith in Jesus as the Savior, and believe that it is only by Jesus' shed blood at Calvary we can find salvation..... that Jesus' redemptive work on the cross made a way for us to have eternal life because He was our substitute and took our sins upon Himself to pay our sin debt in full ! Now is the time to call upon Him and repent and surrender your life to Him. Pray for forgiveness! Following are Scriptures to help you :
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend.... and life !!
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